PAM, 

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' 

BISHOP  WHITE’S  MISSIONARY  SERMON. 

- 

"" 


I 


I 


OF  THE  INCREASE  OF  THE  CHURCH, 

As  DESCRIBED  in  Sr.  Lckb  xiii.  13,  19 


A S E R M O N, 


PREACHED  BEFORE  THE 


DOMESTIC  AND  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 


OF  TUB 


Protestant  Episcopal  CJjurclj  fn  tjje  JtnftcB  States, 


AT  ITS 


TRIENNIAL  MEETING,  IN  ST.JOHN’S  CHAPEL,  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK, 
OCTOBER  M,  182!. 


BY  THE 

RIGHT  REVEREND  WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.  D. 

Bishop  of  the  ProL  Epiac-  Church  in  the  Diocese  ofPennaylvani*. 


FL'BLISHED  BY  REQUEST  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


NEff-YORK: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  PRESS. 


1832. 


SERMO  N. 


St.  Luke,  xiii.  18,  19. 

"Unto  what  is  the  kingdom  of  God  like,  and  whercunto  shall  T resemble 
it?  It  is  like  a grain  of  mustard  seed,  which  a man  took  and  cast  into  his 
garden  : and  it  grew  and  waxed  a great  tree,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air  lodged 
under  the  branches  of  it.” 

Our  Saviour,  intending  to  announce  a splendid 
property  of  the  Church  which  he  was  founding, 
begins  with  a question  calculated  to  awaken  the 
attention  of  his  hearers : “ Unto  what  is  the 
kingdom  of  God  like?”  The  kingdom  of  God, 
that  is,  the  state  of  things  under  the  Gospel, 
unto  what  is  it  like  7 Or,  what  is  the  property, 
the  most  distinguishing  it  as  a visible  society, 
from  that  which  had  subsisted,  under  divine 
institution  also,  among  the  Jews  ? The  blessed 
speaker  thus  answers  the  question  which  he  had 
himself  proposed:  — “It  is  like  a grain  of  mus- 
tard seed.”  Commentators  bring  authorities  to 
prove,  that  the  smallness  of  this  seed  was  pro- 
verbial ; agreeably  to  the  expression  of  another 
of  the  evangelists,  that  it  was  “ the  least  of  all 
seeds.”  So,  the  infancy  of  the  Gospel  was  suited 
to  a dispensation,  under  which  the  Divine  Being 
had  “ chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to 
confound  the  things  which  are  mighty.”  “And 
it  grew,  and  waxed  a great  tree.”  Authorities 


4 


are  also  brought  to  show,  that  in  the  mild 
climates  of  the  East,  the  shoot  from  the  mustard 
seed  is  the  greatest  of  plants,  and  such  as  some- 
times to  acquire,  agreeably  to  the  expression  in 
the  text,  the  strength  and  the  size  of  a tree.  In 
like  manner  the  Christian  Church,  not  instituted, 
like  the  Jewish,  for  a single  nation,  was  to  offer 
its  inestimable  benefits  to  every  people,  and,  at 
last,  to  embrace  all  nations  in  its  communion. 
What  is  added  in  regard  to  the  tree,  that  “ the 
fowls  of  the  air  lodged  under  the  branches  of  it,” 
elegantly  expresses,  by  the  images  of  shade  and 
shelter,  the  consolations  of  Gospel  grace. 

Brethren,  there  are  to  be  solicited  the  bene- 
factions of  this  respectable  congregation,  in  aid 
of  the  funds  of  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  our  Church.  This  branch  of 
the  tree  of  the  Gospel,  as  had  been  the  case  with 
its  parent  stock,  was  small  in  its  beginnings ; 
but,  as  we  trust,  in  continuance  of  the  resem- 
blance, is  progressing  to  its  maturity.  In  the 
meantime,  it  has  to  encounter  discouragements; 
and  although  they  are  not  sufficient  to  over- 
balance our  hopes,  yet,  for  the  realizing  of  the 
latter,  we  depend  considerably  on  congregational 
collections;  abundant  proceeds  from  which  will 
be  the  best  evidence  of  the  estimation  in  which 
our  labors  are  held  by  the  Church  at  large. 

In  order  to  forward  so  good  a design,  there 
shall  be  taken  occasion  from  the  text,  first,  to 
state  some  remarkable  facts  connected  with  the 
subject;  and  secondly,  to  apply  them  for  the  con 


firming  of  our  faith,  for  the  encouraging  of  our 
hope,  and  for  the  exciting  of  our  charity. 

First,  there  are  to  be  stated  some  remarkable 
facts  connected  with  the  subject. 

The  first  to  be  mentioned  is,  that  under  the 
Mosaic  dispensation  there  Avas  a distinct  and 
frequent  foretelling  of  this  circumstance,  as  AA'hat 
should  take  place  under  the  e\*angelical  economy 
which  AA'as  to  succeed.  If  aa  e go  back  even  to 
the  time  of  Abraham,  it  is  not  more  evident  that 
he  was  to  be  the  father  of  the  chosen  people, 
than  that  “in  his  seed  all  the  families  of  the 
earth  should  be  blessed.”  Long  after,  when 
Judah  Avas  prophesied  of  as  the  subject  of  his 
brethren’s  praise,  there  was  a limitation  of  his 
tribual  dominion  to  the  coming  of  a Personage 
to  whom  there  should  be  a “gathering  of  the 
people”  generally.  The  prophets  are  full  of 
scenes  to  this  effect,  displayed  to  them  in  A ision. 
One  of  them  beholds  the  distant  isles,  in  eager 
expectation  of  the  promised  messenger  of  heaA  en. 
Another  of  them  hears  him  “ speaking  peace  to 
the  Heathen ;”  and  another  foresees  the  time, 
when,  “ from  the  rising  of  the  sun,  even  unto  the 
going  doAvn  of  the  same,  the  name  of  God  shall 
be  great  among  the  Gentiles;  and  in  every  place 
incense  shall  be  offered  unto  his  name,  and  a 
pure  offering.”  These  are  but  a few  of  the  rays 
of  the  glory  of  the  Messiah  breaking  in  on  us 
from  the  Old  Testament.  They  are  displayed  at 
this  time  merely  to  constitute  a link  in  the  chain 
of  providence,  designed  to  reach  through  all 


6 


ages.  For,  that  such  a dispensation  as  the 
Mosaic,  with  so  many  institutions  restraining  it 
to  a single  people,  should  yet  extend  its  prospect 
to  the  improvement  of  the  world  at  large,  is 
itself  a singular  fact ; and  the  looking  hack  to  it 
furnishes  an  illustration  of  what  has  since  opened 
on  the  world,  of  “ the  breaking  down  of  the  par- 
tition wall  between  Jew  and  Gentile,  making 
them  both  one  in  Christ;”  and  ordaining,  that 
in  him,  u neither  circumcision  availeth  any  thing, 
nor  uncircumcision,  but  faith  which  worketh  by 
love.” 

The  second  fact  intended,  is  our  Saviour’s 
declaring  frequently  and  explicitly,  that  in  his 
person  there  was  to  be  a fulfilment  of  the  already 
mentioned  object  of  the  divine  counsels.  The 
text  is  direct  authority  to  the  purpose ; and  that 
such  was  the  sense  of  the  speaker,  appears  not 
only  from  the  circumstances  which  have  been 
stated  of  the  delivery  of  it,  but  from  his  an- 
nouncing of  the  same  truth,  in  the  varied  dress  of 
a similar  comparison,  with  the  same  summons 
to  an  attentive  hearing.  For,  after  the  words  of 
the  text,  he  again  asks  — “ Whereunto  shall  1 
liken  the  kingdom  of  God?”  Again  answering 
his  own  question,  he  compares  it  to  “ leaven  hid 
in  three  measures  of  meal,  until  the  whole  is 
leavened.”  In  this  he  keeps  in  view,  alike  in 
the  metaphor,  and  in  the  subject  to  be  illustrated, 
a cause  scarcely  discernible,  its  gradual  opera- 
tion, and  at  last,  its  pervading  of  the  mass  to 
which  it  had  been  applied.  Besides  these  coverf 


7 


intimations  of  our  Saviour,  lie  explicitly  declared 
the  same  high  truth,  as  on  many  occasions,  so 
especially  when  he  gave  to  his" apostles  the  com- 
mission — “ go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature;”  and  when  he 
instructed  them  that  before  the  end,  “ his  Gospel 
should  be  preached  to  all  nations.”  This  appli- 
cation to  himself  of  prophecies  so  extraordinary, 
taken  with  the  fact,  that  in  the  person  in  whom 
they  were  affirmed  to  centre,  there  were  many 
circumstances  descriptive  of  the  Messiah,  w hom 
he  professed  to  be,  such  as,  to  name  no  more,  his 
pedigree  and  the  place  of  his  birth,  is  a matter 
which,  considered  with  a retrospect  to  w hat  has 
been  already  mentioned,  and  in  connexion  with 
what  is  to  follow,  forms  a train  of  events  clearly 
demonstrative  of  divine  interposition. 

To  proceed  to  a third  fact ; the  extent  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  Redeemer,  as  announced  by  him, 
was  an  event  contrary  to  all  human  appearance 
and  expectation.  That  “ a man  of  sorrows” 
should  see  such  an  end  of  “ the  travail  of  his 
soul,”  that  “ not  having  where  to  lay  his  head,” 
and  follow  ed  but  by  few,  of  whom  he  foreknew 
and  foretold  that  they  w ould  forsake  him ; he 
should  afterwards  have  “ a name  that  is  above 
every  name,”  could  not  have  been  known  on 
earth  otherwise  than  in  the  instance  in  wrhich  it 
was  declared  from  his  own  sacred  lips  to  his 
disciple  St.  Peter  — “ Flesh  and  blood  hath  not 
revealed  it  unto  thee,  but  my  Father  who  is  in 
heaven.”  As  such  an  issue  was  disproportioned 


8 


to  the  selected  instruments,  so  there  existed 
impediments,  apparently  insurmountable,  in  the 
civil  and  in  the  religious  policy  of  the  world. 
The  first  national  establishment  threatening  the 
destruction  of  this  spiritual  kingdom,  was  that 
of  the  Jews;  who,  glorying  in  a law  delivered 
to  them  from  a mount  on  fire,  “in  the  midst  of 
blackness,  and  darkness,  and  tempest,  and  the 
sound  of  a trumpet,  and  the  voice  of  words,” 
could  not  be  expected  to  tolerate  pretensions, 
according  to  which  “ old  things  were  to  be  done 
away,  and  all  things  were  to  become  new.” 
The  rest  of  the  civilized  world  was  under  that 
iron  dominion,  which,  as  was  foretold  by  the 
prophet  Daniel,  had  “broken  in  pieces  the  other 
kingdoms  of  the  earth.”  At  the  same  time,  the 
throne  of  the  Caesars  seemed  not  more  stable 
than  was  that  of  the  idolatry  allied  to  it ; and 
which  its  institutions  had  introduced,  not  only 
into  the  public  sacrifices  and  other  acts  of  wor- 
ship, but  into  almost  every  transaction  of  secular 
life.  How  unlikely  was  it  that  such  a fabric 
should  be  prostrated  before  “ a kingdom  not  of 
this  world,”  the  weapons  of  which  are  effectual 
only  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strong  holds  of 
sin  in  the  human  heart. 

Yet,  for  this  is  the  next  fact  to  be  stated,  the 
religion  of  the  Redeemer,  agreeably  to  the  meta- 
phor in  the  text,  made  an  early  and  a wonderful 
progress.  In  the  age  of  the  apostles,  there  was 
scarcely  a part  of  the  known  world,  concerning 
which  wre  have  not  authentic  evidence,  of  its 


0 


having  been  successfully  visited  by  one  or  more 
of  them.  In  the  next  and  in  the  following  age, 
we  find  the  Christian  apologists  appealing  to  men 
in  public  stations  for  the  known  fact,  that  every 
profession  of  secular  life  comprehended  numbers 
of  their  brethren,  who  repaid  the  injuries  of  their 
persecuting  rulers  in  prayers  for  their  prosperity, 
and  in  peaceable  submission  to  their  authority. 

It  has  been  made  a question,  whether  a new 
faith  may  be  the  most  injured  by  persecution  or 
by  neglect.  Christianity  lias  sustained  both  of 
these  trials,  and  has  risen  superior  to  both.  The 
more  humane  of  the  Roman  emperors  seem  to 
have  looked  with  indifference  on  a religion  which 
was  undermining  the  worship  of  their  gods.  The 
savage  spirit  of  others  of  them  pursued  it  with 
unrelenting  fury.  Yet,  during  this  alternate 
reign  of  contempt  and  of  oppression,  the  spiritual 
kingdom  of  the  Redeemer  took  deep  root  in  the 
capital  of  the  civilized  world ; in  the  numerous 
and  vast  provinces  subjected  to  her  empire;  and 
even  in  countries  to  which  her  victorious  arms 
had  never  penetrated.  Why  was  this  stupendous 
event,  but  that  the  faith  in  question  stood  “not 
in  the  wisdom  of  man,  but  in  the  power  of  God;” 
and  that  thus  there  was  a beginning  of  the  spi- 
ritual dominion,  to  which  at  last  every  knee 
shall  bow'? 

It  may  be  asked  — Why  has  there  not  been  a 
proportionate  progress  in  the  succeeding  ages  of 
the  Church  ? The  question  shall  be  answered 
by  the  next  fact.  It  is,  that  the  thing  spoken  of, 
2 


10 


and  the  causes  of  it,  were  foretold.  It  is  to  be 
remarked,  that  the  Church  having  been  estab- 
lished by  the  arm  of  Omnipotence,  the  visible 
state  of  it  was  afterwards  left  to  the  influence  of 
second  causes;  and  accordingly,  was  acted  on 
by  the  ignorance  and  by  the  depravity  of  men: 
still  under  the  control  of  the  providence  of  God  ; 
who,  in  this,  as  well  as  in  what  regards  the  civil 
interests  of  communities,  makes  the  errors  and 
“ the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,”  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  events,  generally  beyond,  and  some- 
times contrary  to,  their  intentions.  In  regard  to 
the  present  subject,  that  there  was  to  be  an 
arresting  of  the  progress  of  divine  truth,  by  an 
obscuring  of  the  brightness  of  it,  was  revealed 
in  Scripture.  This  one  apostle  saw,  under  the 
image  of  “ the  man  of  sin”  establishing  his  throne 
within  the  Church,  and  there  claiming  divine 
honors  on  the  ground  of  “ lying  wonders.”  And 
another  apostle  saw  the  same  character,  under 
the  rigure  of  “ the  beast,”  to  whom  “ the  dragon 
gave  his  scat  and  great  authority,”  sustained  by 
another  beast,  who  “ had  two  horns  like  a lamb, 
and  spake  like  a dragon” — horns  like  a lamb, 
expressive  of  an  authority  professed  to  be  spi- 
ritual ; but  speaking  like  a dragon,  to  denote 
deeds  of  antichristian  idolatry  and  persecution. 

There  might  be  mentioned  several  passages  of 
Scripture,  which  cannot  be  referred  to  any  thing 
else  than  to  the  event  which  has  occurred  of 
corrupting  the  word  of  (ion,  and  of  misapplying 
it  to  the  worst  abuses  of  temporal  power  and 


11 


policy.  This  is  taken  notice  of  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  applying  it  as  a link  in  a connected 
chain  of  facts  to  be  laid  down.  For,  as  it  is  said 
of  that  scene  of  darkness,”  here  is  the  faith  and 
the  patience  of  the  saints,”  in  respect  to  the 
trials  to  which  they  were  to  be  subjected  by  it; 
so,  in  an  argumentative  point  of  view,  neither 
our  faith  in  the  accomplishment  of  promises  of 
past  times,  nor  our  patient  expectation  of  the 
fulfilment  of  promises  which  regard  the  times  to 
come,  should  be  shaken  by  a delay  of  which  we 
have  been  therefore  warned  by  Him  with  whom 
“ one  day  is  as  a thousand  years,  and  a thousand 
years  as  one  day.” 

For,  notwithstanding  the  delay,  the  Scriptures 
arc  express  in  their  declarations — and  this  is  the 
last  fact — of  a happy  consummation  of  what  had 
thus  been  spoken  of  by  “ all  the  holy  prophets, 
who  had  been  since  the  world  began.” 

“ We  bring  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,”  said  the 
angels  in  their  message  to  the  Shepherds,  “ which 
shall  be  to  all  people.”  “ Blindness  in  part  has 
happened  unto  Israel,”  says  St.  Paul,  “ until  the 
fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in.”  “ All  the 
kingdoms  of  the  world,”  says  St.  John,  after  hav- 
ing displayed  in  significant  metaphor  the  series 
of  the  fortunes  of  the  Christian  Church,  “ all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  world,”  says  this  Apostle,  or 
rather  an  angel  whom  he  introduces,  winding 
up  the  sacred  drama,  “ all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
wTorld,  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord 
and  of  his  Christ.”  It  was  the  same,  or  pro- 


12 


bably  a more  splendid  scene,  that  was  displayed 
to  the  same  Apostle  in  vision,  when  he  “ heard 
every  creature  on  earth,  or  under  the  earth,  or 
in  the  sea,  giving  praise,  and  honor,  and  glory 
to  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  to  the 
Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.” 

These  are  the  facts,  the  reviewing  of  which, 
has  been  thought  to  be  suited  to  the  present 
occasion ; and  it  remains  to  apply  them,  for  the 
confirming  of  our  faith,  for  the  encouraging  of 
our  hope,  and  for  the  exciting  of  our  charity. 

In  regard  to  the  confirming  of  our  faith,  there 
is  weighty  evidence  in  this  consent  of  prophecy 
and  history,  and  of  prophecies  and  events  of  dif- 
ferent ages,  in  a long  succession,  respectively 
answering  to  one  another.  Here  is  an  extraor- 
dinary series,  which,  like  that  of  the  fortunes  of 
the  seed  of  Abraham,  is  addressed  to  all  ages. 
Our  Saviour,  having  read  in  a synagogue,  from 
the  Prophet  Isaiah,  a description  of  the  charac- 
ter in  which  he  was  at  that  moment  manifesting 
himself,  made  the  appeal  to  their  senses  and  to 
their  understandings  — “ This  day,  is  this  Scrip- 
ture fulfilled  in  your  ears.”  But  in  the  present 
subject,  we  have  the  detail  of  successive  pro- 
phecies, which  have  been  fulfilling  through  many 
ages;  which,  in  this,  our  day,  are  going  on  in 
their  fulfilment,  and  which  will  continue  to  be 
fulfilled,  in  what  remains  of  time.  Balanced 
with  this  evidence,  how  light  are  difficulties 
lying  on  the  face  of  detached  parts  of  the  Chris- 
tian system  ; the  meaning  of  which  we  may  have 


mistaken;  while  this  sentiment,  pervading  it, 
may  be  made  luminous  to  every  understand- 
ing ! a sentiment,  which  a succession  of  impos- 
tors would  have  found  it  impossible  to  sustain 
through  a long  tract  of  time,  as  it  would  also 
have  been  for  them,  had  they  so  continued  it,  to 
have  brought  the  state  of  the  world,  and  the 
conduct,  as  well  of  enemies  as  of  friends,  to  cor- 
respond with  the  extraordinary  scheme,  thus 
supposed  to  have  been  contrived.  What  then 
should  be  the  result ; but  our  being  rendered  by 
it  the  humble  disciples  of  the  blessed  Person  who 
once  “ tabernacled  among  men,”  and  who  is  now 
exalted  far  above  “ all  principality  and  power, 
and  might,  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that 
is  named,  not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that 
which  is  to  come.” 

Let  not  the  improvement  of  the  subject  rest 
here  ; but  let  it  be  an  encouragement  of  our 
hope.  This  cheering  result,  is  especially  to  be 
perceived,  in  the  reference  which  the  text  has 
incidentally  made  to  the  consolations  of  the  Gos- 
pel, represented  under  the  figures  of  shade  and 
shelter.  Of  this,  the  improvement  to  our  minds 
should  be  an  examination  of  ourselves,  in  order 
to  know,  whether  the  discoveries  vouchsafed  to 
us  be  winged,  with  their  reviving  virtue,  to  our 
spirits  ? To  whomsoever  the  Gospel  of  Christ 
is  preached,  the  tree  spoken  of  holds  out  its 
branches.  Do  we  then,  refresh  ourselves  under 
its  shade  ? Do  we  find  it  a shelter  from  the 
pelting  storms  of  angry  consciences?  And 


14 


have  we  consolation,  proportioned  to  what  has 
been  thus  beneficently  bestowed  as  the  mean  of 
it  ? If  not,  let  there  be  the  inquiry  whether 
the  want  of  it  be  the  consequence  of  corruption, 
or  of  constitutional  infirmity.  In  the  former 
case,  let  there  be  a “ purging  out  of  the  old 
leaven,”  leaving  “ a new  lump  unleavened  to 
the  Lord.”  In  the  latter,  let  there  be  recourse 
to  those  lively  oracles,  the  true  spirit  of  which, 
is  not  that  “ of  fear,  but  of  a sound  mind.” 
When  thus  conducted  by  the  subject,  we  shall 
have  obtained  such  views  of  the  divine  benefi- 
cence made  known  to  us  by  the  Gospel,  as  issues 
in  the  sense  of  an  interest  in  its  promises ; let 
us  cultivate  it  as  a light,  which,  during  a con- 
tinued advance  in  grace,  will  “ shine  more  and 
more  unto  the  perfect  day.” 

Of  there  being  ground  for  the  hope  of  this 
result,  one  evidence  must  be,  its  excitement  of 
our  charity. 

Of  the  exercise  of  this  grace,  the  branch  espe- 
cially contemplated,  is  the  doing  of  what  lies  in 
our  power,  to  the  extending  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  Redeemer,  and  the  thus  being  agents  in 
carrying  the  progress  of  the  Gospel,  figura- 
tively represented  in  the  text,  to  the  glorious 
period  of  its  completion. 

Independently  on  pecuniary  contribution,  and 
on  what,  in  virtue  of  divine  promise,  may  be 
expected  to  be  the  effect  of  earnest  and  perse- 
vering prayer,  there  may  be  the  aid  of  every 
child  of  Goo,  in  the  many  opportunities  which 


15 


cannot  but  occur,  for  the  giving  of  testimony  in 
favor  of  a cause,  involving  whatever  has  a bear- 
ing on  the  eternal  or  on  the  temporal  interests 
of  men.  A remark  seasonably  made,  may  prove 
an  admonition  to  the  profane,  or  an  encourage- 
ment to  the  devout.  And  all  genuine  evidence 
of  a spirit  moulded  to  the  graces  of  the  Gospel 
carries  with  it  a charm,  which,  independently 
on  words,  strengthens  the  faith  of  the  one,  and 
not  seldom  carries  conviction  to  the  consciences 
of  the  other. 

This  is  a benefit  which  may  be  attendant  on 
any  of  the  ordinary  intercourses  of  life.  But 
there  arise  occasions,  and  it  is  supposed  that  one 
of  them  is  now  before  us,  when  there  are  calls 
of  more  than  common  pressure,  for  the  mani- 
festing of  an  interest  taken  in  the  inestimable 
treasure  of  the  Gospel,  by  some  sacrifice  of  ex- 
pense, for  the  imparting  of  it  to  those  who  are 
destitute,  or  in  danger  of  being  deprived  of  it. 

Brethren ; your  preacher,  during  the  whole 
of  his  Episcopacy,  has  been  in  the  habit  of  re- 
ceiving from  various  parts  of  the  United  States, 
applications  for  ministerial  supply  ; of  the  need 
of  which  he  could  not  but  have  a strong  convic- 
tion ; while  relief  was  beyond  his  power.  The 
prospect  has  brightened.  What  with  system- 
atic exertions  of  the  people  immediately  con- 
cerned, and  an  interest  taken  in  their  favor  by 
some  of  the  clerical  order  in  visits  made  for  the 
gathering  of  congregations,  it  has  happened,  that 
there  is  the  hope  of  an  early  organization  of  our 


16 


Church,  in  the  vast  fields  of  labor  to  the  west, 
to  the  north,  and  to  the  south.  In  all  these 
directions,  we  have  the  prospect  of  extending 
the  branches  of  the  tree,  which  cannot  but  cast 
their  shelter  and  their  shade,  in  the  sanctity 
of  Christian  morals,  and  in  the  consolations  of 
Christian  hope. 

It  would  be  a mournful  contrast,  if,  in  ter- 
ritories submitting  to  cultivation  under  labors  of 
emigrants  from  states  in  which  Christianity  is 
the  profession  of  the  inhabitants,  the  sound  of 
the  Gospel  should  not  be  heard ; and  if,  in  con- 
sequence, the  progeny  of  the  settlers  should  be 
surrendered  to  the  reign  of  irreligion,  perhaps  to 
that  of  barbarism. 

Probably,  however,  there  is  no  danger  of  this. 
On  the  contrary,  if  we  should  be  regardless  of 
the  spiritual  wants  of  our  fellow  members  of  the 
same  communion,  the  zeal  of  other  bodies  of 
professing  Christians  may  be  expected  to  furnish 
them  with  instructers,  more  or  less  conforming 
to  the  standard  of  truth  in  holy  Scripture.  With 
us  the  question  is,  whether,  under  the  persuasion 
that  our  principles  are  the  most  agreeable  to  the 
integrity  of  the  Christian  faith,  we  shall  be  the 
only  communion  insensible  to  such  claims  as 
those  now  made  on  us;  and  whether,  in  conse- 
quence of  our  want  of  zeal  and  of  sympathy  in 
this  matter,  they  shall  be  exposed  to  the  alter- 
native of  being  without  any  public  profession,  to 
the  manifest  depravation  of  the  morals  of  a rising 
generation;  or  else,  shall  exchange  the  profes- 


17 


sion  of  their  ancestors  for  some  other,  under 
which  there  is,  at  the  least,  sensibility  to  the 
duty  of  being  regardful  of  what  is  strongly  set 
forth  in  the  text,  the  being  agents  in  the  exten- 
sion of  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer. 

Of  late  years,  we  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
hearing  of  stupendous  exertions,  put  forth  for 
the  extension  of  the  faith  of  the  Gospel  beyond 
the  bounds  of  Christendom;  greater,  perhaps, 
than  have  been  known  at  any  period  since  that 
of  the  original  publishing  of  it.  We  learn  also, 
on  unquestionable  evidence,  that  it  is  now 
spreading  in  countries  in  which  it  had  been 
hitherto  unknown.  In  these  laudable  efforts  it 
is  easy  to  discern  the  interposition  of  Providence, 
over-ruling  the  high-handed  measures  which  had 
preceded,  for  the  general  propagation  of  infi- 
delity ; and  educing  from  them  results,  the  oppo- 
site to  those  which  had  been  contemplated. 

In  these  vast  efforts  for  the  Christianizing  of 
the  world,  it  has  been  the  earnest  desire  of  many 
pious  persons  among  ourselves,  to  contribute  a 
portion  of  their  bounty  ; being  aware  that  there 
can  be  little  proof  of  our  esteem  of  our  ecclesias- 
tical institutions,  or  of  the  Christian  cause  itself, 
if  they  have  not  a sufficient  potency  to  excite  to 
the  honorable  competition  of  vieing  with  other 
bodies  of  our  fellow  Christians,  in  what  ought  to 
be  accounted  a labor  of  love  by  all. 

Brethren;  in  reference  to  the  Society  wrhose 
funds  are  expected  to  be  aided  by  your  contri- 
butions on  this  occasion,  there  are  twro  facts,  the 
3 


18 


statement  of  which  may  be  hoped  to  tend  mate- 
rially to  the  design.  There  have  been  already 
noticed  the  many  solicitations  for  ministerial  aid 
before  the  existence  of  the  Society.  Since  its 
formation,  they  have  multiplied  exceedingly ; so 
as  more  and  more  to  address  to  those  who  take 
the  lead  in  it,  some  such  entreaty  as  that  made 
in  vision  by  a man  of  Macedonia  to  St.  Paul, — 
<l  Come  and  help  us.” 

The  knowledge  of  the  existence  of  such  a 
Society  has  naturally  this  effect ; and  it  is  pain- 
fully felt  in  the  present  instance,  from  an  increase 
in  the  number  of  claims,  beyond  the  possibility 
of  their  being  met : the  claimants  from  every 
quarter  naturally  undertaking  to  judge  of  the 
comparative  reasonableness  of  their  respective 
expectations.  The  amount  of  supplies  has  been 
very  far  from  being  in  proportion  to  the  exigency. 

One  cause  of  this,  and  it  is  the  other  fact  con- 
templated, is,  that  after  the  constituting  of  this 
Society  by  the  General  Convention,  there  be- 
came organized,  in  several  of  the  States,  their 
peculiar  Diocesan  Societies,  directed  to  the  same 
object,  within  their  respective  bounds.  So  far 
as  good  is  accomplished,  it  is  of  no  consequence 
by  whose  agency  the  same  is  effected.  But, 
when  there  are  taken  into  view  the  immense 
districts  in  the  west,  in  the  north,  and  in  the 
south  ; which  are  not  endeavored  to  be  benefited 
by  those  partial  organizations ; setting  aside  also 
the  debt  due  to  what  is  beyond  the  bounds  of 
our  civil  Union  ; it  is  evident,  that  the  said  Dio- 


19 


cesan  Societies,  however  usefully  they  may  be 
conducted,  detract  materially  from  the  means, 
which  would  otherwise  have  been  at  the  com- 
mand of  that  constituted  by  the  general  voice  of 
our  Church. 

Its  being  so  far  deprived  of  the  aids  of  several 
expected  sources  of  support,  can  be  compensated 
for  no  otherwise,  than  by  concurrent  appeals  to 
the  beneficence  of  those,  who  contribute  within 
their  respective  bounds.  Of  such  appeals,  there 
is  one  at  this  time  brought  before  the  respect- 
able audience  here  assembled,  and  as  may  be 
trusted,  it  will  not  be  without  effect. 

It  is  not  uncommon,  to  hear  the  expression  of 
a difference  of  opinion,  as  to  the  comparative 
weight  of  the  claims  of  the  Domestic  and  of  the 
Foreign  Departments  of  the  Society.  Its  con- 
stitution has  been  wisely  accommodated  to  this 
diversity  of  views,  by  submitting  to  every  donor, 
to  which  of  the  branches  his  gift  shall  be  ap- 
plied, and  if  no  will  on  the  alternative  should  be 
expressed,  to  the  discretion  of  those  who  have 
the  management  of  the  whole  concern.  Al- 
though under  this  circumstance,  there  will  fall 
the  amount  of  what  may  be  given  on  the  present 
occasion,  yet  the  Society  are  entitled  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  fact,  that  they  have  not  been 
accused  of  favoring  either  branch  of  their  trust 
at  the  cost  of  indifference,  or  of  faulty  privation, 
in  regard  to  the  other. 

Brethren  ; we  are  holding  our  meeting  during 
the  assembling  of  the  General  Convention  of  our 


20 


Church.  The  interest  to  he  taken  in  their  pro- 
ceedings, will  in  some  measure  take  its  coloring 
from  what  shall  appear  on  them,  of  successful 
agency  in  the  cause  which  has  been  at  this  time 
advocated.  Before  that  body,  there  will  be 
brought  the  transactions,  during  the  last  three 
years,  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Society  and  of  their 
Executive  Committee,  constituted  by  the  autho- 
rity of  the  Convention,  and  answerable  to  them 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  trust.  It  has 
been  at  the  expense  of  much  time  and  labor ; 
accompanied  by  the  satisfaction  of  believing, 
that,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  they  have  not 
been  without  effect.  Under  the  head  of  the 
contributions  which  must  be  received  by  them, 
there  will  be  that  to  be  bestowed  by  the  con- 
gregation now  assembled.  Their  preacher  can- 
not but  encourage  in  himself  the  expectation, 
that  it  will  be  such  as  shall  furnish  a test  of  the 
stand  taken  in  the  whole  respectable  Diocese  in 
which  we  are  met,  by  the  cause  which  has  been 
pleaded  for  at  this  time,  the  diffusing  at  home 
and  abroad,  the  knowledge  of  the  glad  tidings 
of  salvation ; and  verifying  the  promise  of  the 
Saviour  in  the  text,  that  the  tree,  planted  by 
his  sacred  hand,  however  small  its  seed,  should 
extend  its  shelter  and  its  shade  of  Gospel  grace 
and  consolation,  to  all  who  might  be  brought  to 
retreat  for  their  safety  to  its  branches. 


